I own a 1970 chevelle malibu 4 door hardtop. I brought the car from family in 1993 and have no idea how to figure out what it would be worth since i have never seen one for sale. The car runs well and everything including the ac and factory am radio still works. The interior is in near perfect condition but the fenders quarters and bumpers all have enough damage i believe they should be replaced rather than repaired. I will be driving the car from my parents house in sc to tennessee where i live next weekend and will take some pictures to post after that. Does anyone know what 4 doors chevelles are worth? I doubt I would ever sell it but I have always wondered what it's value really is

Like this?? ;)
I sold this well optioned car about one year ago...
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/566/MVC-011S.JPG

4 Doors Rock! They are not as valuable as 2 doors but I enjoy mine because it is different.

My wife's grandmother has a 66/4dr/283/pg her Dad and I pulled the motor last year it only has 42k on it just painted up.While it was out he spent $4.000 to have the car painted it is and always has been garaged. Needless to say I would love too have that car it is so cool cruzin a 4dr. I checked into whats it's worth and it's not even 4k but who cares it's never going too be sold just passed down.

Yes but the car you sold is in better condition than mine you will laugh when i post pictures of mine next week i also noticed that yours has more chrome than mine i don't have any chrome around the wheel wells nor do i have the vertical chrome pieces on my bumpers. Your car is only the third 70 hardtop i have seen since i bought mine i 93 and in the best condition out of all of them. I never saw another one in person though ever. Nice car would love to know what you got for it cause it would give me an idea of the upper limit value

I looked at everyones car that posted a reply they are all in great shape and thank yall for responding. Pray for me next Monday when I drive my back to Tennessee it will be the first time that car has gone more than 30 miles at one time in about ten years.

ATTN: Chevelle Nut I just read the story on coolharts.com I noticed you did a dics brake conversion. I was wondering how that went if you had any advice on it. I am still using the non power assist drums on mine. I had a hard time getting the correct wheel cylinders when i rebuilt the brake system last Christmas

The disc brake conversion kits are easy to install, they are pricey but stopping is so much improved. The biggest problem you will have is bleeding the system and the trickiest part is installing the spindle because you have to release the ball joints.

If you are going to install the kit I would recommend a complete front end rebuild to make sure everything is new and fresh.

For 4 door parts James Hinshaw is you best source for parts.

Thanks for the info once again. I am glad there is places to go for 4 door parts. In the 90s when i drove the car as a daily driver there was almost nothing available for 4 doors. You might find it interesting to know that year one, back then, gave me a free package tray for my chevelle just for giving them my old one, which was damaged from a leaking rear window, as a template.

Nice car would love to know what you got for it cause it would give me an idea of the upper limit value

Jay,
$7500...right off the ACES SE regional show field last May.:o The guy test drove it and bought it on the spot.
We saw it offered for sale online late last summer for $10K down in Tampa, FL.
Good luck with your trip.

Wow that is a good price I guess mine would be worth 3 to 4 grand in the state it is in. Which is still better that the $200 i paid for it in 93. Thanks again

When I made these trips years ago to visit family I would have to add a quart of oil ever 50 miles lol but I since had umbrella seals installed into the heads. For some reason my 307 never had any. Another factory oddity I corrected was in the powerglide transmission it lacked a part to give it passing gear

Well my chevelle didn't make it 70 miles into my trip I hit bumper to bumper traffic approaching atlanta and lost oil pressure at idle. It seemed like she was going to lock up so i put it in neutral and increased my rpms to bring up the oil pressure. It worked but I decided it best to get on the shoulder to the next exit and turn around and bring it back to S.C. Luckily made it back to my parents without catastrophic engine failure and she is safe and sound in their outbuilding. Forty years is a good run for any engine without needing a rebuild. Despite proper maintenance and complete maintenance records going all the way back to 1970 to back it up time gets all eventually. It will be a good project to rebuild my 307 I was concerned about what condition my exhaust valve seats might be in anyway after decades of unleaded fuel. I shall soon see

Pictures of my 70 4 door hardtop

Jay,

Silly question, but is the oil in the motor reasonably fresh? If the oil is dilluted or has high mileage, it may have broken down and not be giving you acceptable pressure and readings as temp increases? Also, maybe try a higher viscosty oil, straight 30W or 40W?

Good luck,
Tom

The oil is less than 6 months old and the level was showing full on the stick and had no odor of gasoline in it. There is a main bearing knock when the light comes on. I have used heavy weight oil in a plymouth voyager I used to have when i had the same problem and that does help, however I am concerned about that in this engine on account of its age and I might lose too much oil flow in the top end to properly cool the valves. It probably sounds overly cautious but I do think it would be best to open up the engine and correct the problem. Plus with the engine out it can begin a proper restoration project once and for all. Currently the car is inside the green building it is pictured next to. Thanks for the suggestion and taking an interest it is always enjoyable to discuss my chevelle with someone Thanks again Jay

Hi Jay,

If the 307 motor is going to come out, might it be better to archive this motor in the garage and find a newer style low mileage motor to put in its place? Maybe a 1 piece seal roller cam 350 or the like?

I am doing this to the original high mile motor in my 72 Monte. It was built right from the factory as it has 190K miles and has only had the cam and timing set replaced. It just leaks oil from everywhere and rattles until oil pressure comes up. Otherwise runs fine, so I don't want to kill it. So I understand your concerns. I am replacing it with a used ZZ3 350 found at Pick-A-Part (no joke) and going to store the original motor in the Garage.

The nice later motors can be found in 87 to 90-something trucks and vans, and in Caprices.

Just a thot,
Tom

Hi Tom,
That is most likely what I will end up doing. Lets face it why have a chevelle if it isn't fast. There really isn't much power you can get out of a 307. I would like to build a 383 for it or if I decide I really want a big block I have always been partial to the Cadillac 500 ever since I had one in an old 75 coupe deville. The later engines are nice and you can find a used one that isn't wore out at a good price, however I still prefer the old school V8s without fuel injection and computers. I am just more familiar with them and can manipulate the power in them easier. I have the knowledge to hand build a great engine but time and money is a real factor and it might be better in the short term to do what you suggest and buy a later engine out of a junk yard. What do you think of the caddy 500?

Thanks Jay

p.s. it will be interesting to hear how your engine swap goes and what problems you encounter with using a computer controlled powerplant

Update: the oil very thin probably broke down after running a little hot from a broken fan clutch. Changed the oil and performed a compression test 150 to 155 psi in all 8 cylinders. The oil pressure was excellent 38 psi at idle fully warmed up